Chris VH ICs up and running!

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Devastatingly good!! That is my initial impression of these DIY cables after 4 hours of fine work, several f***-ups and redos. But the improvements wrought based on 3 songs were more than worth the effort and small cost. Forst the construction woes:
I built a jig similar to that described several weeks ago which consists of 2x3 lumber holding a taught copper wire over which the teflon tube is slid. This held the tubing straight and taught to allow placement of the fine silver wire and initial wrap of white teflon tape. I used the thiner white tape initially just to hold the wire spacing. I didn't want to use thicker tape yet since the Deltron connectors barely fit over the tube to begin with.
Next, attaching connectors: the Deltrons have a nice crimpable connector to physically clamp onto the tubing firmly and minimize movement relative to the connector. I did carve 'V' grooves in the tubing to run the silver wire the last inch toward the connector ad this provided some extra protection against possible physical pressure severing the wire. I used a VOM to make sure I didn't mix the hot and return wires and to make sure there were to shorts. The teflon insulation came off relatively easy using medium grit sand paper and fingernails. Actually, the wire seems abit stronger that I thought. You can see where the teflon is off the wire when you hold the wire up to a light. The teflon insulation causes somewhat of a 'halo' effect (like sometimes seen around the moon) or a 'glow' around the wire which you won't even know is there until you see the wire w/o insulation.
Soldering- I used Wonder solder and it worked fine, but I was really nervous using a 30 W iron with such fine wire. I stripped about 2 inches of insulation off the wire and tried to wind the bare wire into some sort of a ball in order to get something substantial to solder to the connector. Next, a final 2 layers of pink teflon tape and 3 inches of adhesive heat shrink and I was done. Now the big test.
I replaced Kimber PBJs between AA DDEv3.0 and ARC LS-1 linestage. PBJs still between LS1 and Classic 60. Without music, turned gain up to max. Some 60hz hum but no more than with PBJs.
Its now 10 pm, time for only 2 CDs - Kinda Blue and The Dance. Wow!! Acoustic bass on Kinda Blue much more tuneful! Deeper too. Just what is going on here? Upper bass/lower midrange much clearer. Can't decide if changes are additive or subtractive, but they are definitely all for the better and they are NOT small. Much greater top end extension and smoothness (cymbals much more delicate and metallic sounding, silvery??) Overally, greater focus in all instruments and great reduction in glare or haze.
Next, Stevie Nicks 'Landslide'. Unbelievable changes in soundstage compared with PBJ. Vocals very focused centerstage and greater articulation of all nuances of Nicks' voice. (You gotta hear this!)Before, seemed as though various components of her vocals were splattered around the soundfield, now with all the various frequences and textures focused into one cohesive, palpable image.. Fascinating!! On another track, Lindsay Buckingham speaks about the group's getting together. You can hear his voice resonate throughout the soundtage from the PA. It seems almost surround sound like in effect. I've heard reviewers describe being able to hear the room acoustics in a recording - I thought it was hyperbole. Not any more.
Enough of this, I thought. My wife if probably on her way down stairs now to tell me to turn the damn thing off. Maybe this has all been great expactations. Maybe the powerline is better at 10 pm. But I was completely unprepared to hear these unbroken-in cables to sound this good. Sure, they are replacing PBJs not some $1500/pair cables so you might expect that it is reasonable to beat them given the materials used. Are these comparable to $200, 300, 600, hell, 900 cables? Don't know since I've never owned or compared them, but I do know they are the best I've heard in my system ever.
Pity though, many people will never know how good these cables are since they are not commercially available. But those who spend the $70 or so are in for a treat. If I paid $600 for these I would be happy. Just what is going to happen when I replace the pre-power amp ICs with the DIYs?
Can't wait. I'm ordering more connectors today.... Thanks Chris VH!!
Do yourselves a favor....try Chris VH's IC cables. Shockingly good.
Bill

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Topic - Chris VH ICs up and running! - Bill Z 06:37:34 03/13/00 (5)

Here's the recipe, for those interested: - ChrisVH 20:28:04 03/13/00 (0)

Re: Chris VH ICs up and running! - ChrisVH 20:26:29 03/13/00 (0)

Re: Chris VH ICs up and running! - Shawn Harvey 07:28:40 03/13/00 (2)

Pretty amazing changes - Bill Z 07:49:01 03/13/00 (1)

Re: Pretty amazing changes - Shawn Harvey 10:27:52 03/13/00 (0)

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